Niehaus leads youth movement for St. Xavier tennis

St. Xavier sophomore Andrew Niehaus hits a serve during his opening match of the Division I district tournament May 22 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. Niehaus won his first two matches to reach the district semifinals and qualify for the state tournament for the first time in his young career.
(Photo:
Tom Skeen/Community Press
)

MASON – Youth and excitement has taken over the St. Xavier High School tennis team.

Of their seven district qualifiers (three singles players and two doubles teams); five were underclassmen, including three sophomores and a freshman.

After playing No. 3 singles as a freshman, sophomore Andrew Niehaus of Sharonville finds himself heading to the Division I state tournament for the first time in his career after reaching the district semifinals May 22. Niehaus coasted to a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Trotwood-Madison’s Mario Rodgers in the opening round of district play before beating Beavercreek’s Trent Hayden 6-4, 6-0 to clinch a state berth.

It’s a run coach Russ King wasn’t sure was possible before the season.

“I told him in the beginning of the season he was going to get his butt beat,” King said, “but that hasn’t come. He’s won a lot of great matches. He’s still young and he’s not a big kid, so he’ll get stronger in the future. It’s been fun with him this year. He’s a tough kid.”

Niehaus has even surprised himself with his play.

“I’ve been beating some people I didn’t think I could beat,” the sophomore said. “Going into some matches I thought I was going to lose, but I’ve won a lot of them.”

While Niehaus is the lone Bomber to reach the state tournament, freshman Peter Schulteis of Madeira may have shown the most growth. King referred to him as the seventh or eighth singles player at the midpoint of the season before the light bulb came on. Schulteis entered the sectional tournament unseeded before making a run all the way to the finals before losing to Niehaus 6-2, 6-3. The freshman opened the district tournament with a bang, earning a 7-6, 6-4 victory over Centerville’s Tyler Smith, one of the top players out of the Dayton sectional.

“I wish I knew (what changed in his game). I’d bottle it,” King said, who led the Bombers to team state titles from 2006-2009. “All of a sudden he just went up to a high level. Every once in a while it happens. You work your whole career looking for improvements like that.”

While not playing in the postseason this season, look for freshman Nick Hutchins of Hyde Park to be a force in 2015.

“He’s right there with Peter, just a little behind him right now,” King added. “He plays multiple sports (golf and cross country), but now he’s promised me he’s going to concentrate just on tennis now.”

Sophomore Wagas Tanveer of Mason finished third at sectionals but bowed out in the opening round of districts.

While seniors Jay Shanahan of Hyde Park and Matt Momper of Madeira helped the Bombers to their 48th straight Greater Catholic League title, the doubles players have left the program in good hands for the next couple years.

With Mason and Sycamore – the top two teams in Southwest Ohio – both graduate some serious talent over the next two years, King is ready to see his Bombers back on top.

“You never want to look ahead, not even to the next match, but it’s kind of nice,” he said of his youth movement. “Mason’s graduating some kids and Sycamore’s going to graduate some the following year, so I’m ready to take over.”